Dual tuned magnetic resonance medical imaging device

ABSTRACT

A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes a T/R switch. The T/R switch includes a double sided microstripline based hybrid couplers with a top side and a bottom side each including two concentric microstripline based hybrid couplers. Each of the two concentric microstripline based hybrid couplers includes an inner microstripline based hybrid coupler and an outer microstripline based hybrid coupler. The inner microstripline based hybrid coupler forms an inner loop of the two concentric microstripline based hybrid couplers and the outer microstripline based hybrid coupler forms an outer loop. In a transmission mode, the inner microstripline based hybrid coupler and the outer microstripline based hybrid coupler at the top side of the dual-tuned T/R switch are activated. In a receiving mode the inner microstripline based hybrid coupler and the outer microstripline based hybrid coupler at the top side and at the bottom side of the dual-tuned T/R switch are activated.

STATEMENT OF PRIOR DISCLOSURE BY THE INVENTORS

Aspects of the present disclosure are described in Ashraf Abuelhaija,Gameel Saleh, Tarik Baldawi, Sanaa Salama_(12 Apr. 2021), Symmetricaland Asymmetrical Microstripline-based Transmit/Receive Switches for 7Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Doi: 10.1002/cta.3013. Further aspectsof the present disclosure are described in Gameel Saleh, AshrafAbuelhaija (21-24 Apr. 2021) Dual Tuned Switch for Dual Resonance 1H/13CMRI Coil, IEMTRONICS2021. Additionally, aspects of the presentdisclosure are described in Ashraf Abuelhaija and Gameel Saleh (February2021). A Pi-Shaped Compact Dual Tuned 1H/23Na Microstripline-BasedSwitch for 7-Tesla MRI, Vol. 11, N. 1 ISSN 2039-5086. DOI:https://doi.org/10.15866/irecap.v11i1.20302. Also, aspects of thepresent disclosure are described in Ashraf Abuelhaija, Gameel Saleh,Tank Baldawi, Sanaa Salama (August 2020), Symmetrical and AsymmetricalMicrostripline-based Transmit/Receive Switches for 7 Tesla MagneticResonance Imaging, Manuscript ID: TBioCAS-2020-Aug-0255-Reg. Further,aspects of the present disclosure are described in Ashraf Abuelhaija,Gameel Saleh (October 2020), A Dual 1H/31P QuadratureMicrostripline-Based Transmit/Receive Switch for 7 Tesla MRI, ISSN:2088-8708. These are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND Field of the Invention

The present disclosure is related to a magnetic resonance imagingapparatus and a transmit/receive switching device and, moreparticularly, to a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus for magneticresonance imaging of a subject of investigation.

Description of the Related Art

The “background” description provided herein is for the purpose ofgenerally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of thepresently named inventors, to the extent it is described in thisbackground section, as well as aspects of the description which may nototherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neitherexpressly or impliedly admitted as prior art against the presentinvention.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners are medical devices that usemagnetic fields, magnetic field gradients, and radio waves to generateimages of anatomical features of a subject. The MRI scanners generateimages of soft tissues, potentially uncovering tissue characteristicsthat indicate diseases. There is a demand in healthcare industry forhigh-quality MRI scanners that produce images with high resolution,superior contrast, and high signal-to-noise (SNR) ratio. To meet theaforementioned criteria, the MRI scanners require magnets with higherstrength, which in turn increase the radio frequency (RF) power requiredto excite atoms, such as hydrogen atoms, at a corresponding resonantfrequency. Higher the strength of the magnet in the MRI scanner, higherthe speed of precession of atomic nuclei, leading to an increase in theresonant frequency of an RF coil and the energy required to excitespins. The demand for higher RF power may be met using RF poweramplifiers with high output signal levels. However, the RF poweramplifiers are typically located in an equipment room several metersaway from the MRI scanner. The transfer of power requires long RFtransmission line cables to reach the MRI scanner from the equipmentrooms to feed the RF coil. Having long cables increases insertion lossand reduces a power delivered to the RF coils. One solution is to reducethe insertion losses due to the transmission line cable is by having anear-magnet power amplifier using non-magnetic components and placingthe near-magnet power amplifier behind the MRI scanner within an MRIroom. However, such solutions may reduce the insertion losses marginallybut also introduces other issues such as space and efficiency issues.

US Patent Publication No. 2004/0266362A1 to Watkins et al. is in thefield of a a transmit/receive (T/R) switch operating over a range offrequencies to implement a transmt/receive switch having a low loss pathduring the transmit mode and the receiver mode, however this T/R switchcan just handle one resonant frequency and does not disclose amulti-tuning T/R switch. In addition, reduction of insertion loss of acircuit based on microstripline based hybrid couplers is also notdisclosed. US Patent Publication No. 2018/0083591A1 to Mandegaran is inthe field of a RF duplexer including quadrature hybrid couplers and RFfilters to enhance isolation in hybrid-based RF duplexers andmultiplexers, however utilizing RF filters in MRI scanners increasesnoise in circuitry which is undesirable.

SUMMARY

In an exemplary embodiment, a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus formagnetic resonance imaging of a subject of investigation is described.The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes a dual-tunedtransmit/receive (T/R) switch. The dual tuned T/R switch includes a topside and a bottom side, each of the top side and the bottom sideincludes two concentric microstripline based hybrid couplers. Each ofthe two concentric microstripline based hybrid couplers includes aninner microstripline based hybrid coupler and an outer microstriplinebased hybrid coupler. The inner microstripline based hybrid couplerforms an inner loop of the two concentric microstripline based hybridcouplers and the outer microstripline based hybrid coupler forms anouter loop around the inner loop. In a transmission mode, for thedual-tuned T/R switch, the inner microstripline based hybrid coupler andthe outer microstripline based hybrid coupler at the top side of thedual-tuned T/R switch are activated. In a receiving mode, for thedual-tuned T/R switch, the inner microstripline based hybrid coupler andthe outer microstripline based hybrid coupler at the top side and at thebottom side of the dual-tuned T/R switch are activated.

In another exemplary embodiment, a magnetic resonance imaging apparatusfor magnetic resonance imaging of a subject of investigation isdescribed. The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes amulti-tuned T/R switch. The multi-tuned T/R switch includes twomicrostripline based hybrid couplers: a top hybrid coupler and a bottomhybrid coupler. A first port associated with the top hybrid coupler isconfigured to receive pulsed radio frequency signal power as an inputsignal. A second port associated with the top hybrid coupler connectedto a radio frequency coil. A third port associated with the bottomhybrid coupler connected to a radio frequency terminator. A fourth portassociated with the bottom hybrid coupler connected to a pre-amplifier.Each of the first port, the second port, the third port, and the fourthport are connected to a corresponding shunt capacitor, each of the shuntcapacitors are configured to tune a resonance frequency.

In another exemplary embodiment, a magnetic resonance imaging apparatusfor magnetic resonance imaging of a subject of investigation isdescribed. The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus including asimultaneous dual-tuned T/R switch, the simultaneous dual-tuned T/Rswitch is configured to process a signal with two resonance frequenciesfrom one dual resonant RF coil or two single resonant RF coils,simultaneously without tuning. The simultaneous dual-tuned T/R switchincludes a top side and a bottom side, each of the top side and thebottom side includes one microstripline based hybrid coupler. Each ofthe microstripline based hybrid couplers includes at least one port, andthe at least port is connected to a corresponding shunt capacitorconfigured to tune a resonance frequency. In a transmission mode, forthe simultaneous dual-tuned T/R switch, the top microstripline basedhybrid coupler of the simultaneous dual-tuned T/R switch is activated.In a receiving mode, for the simultaneous dual-tuned T/R switch: the topmicrostripline based hybrid coupler and the bottom microstripline basedhybrid coupler of the simultaneous dual-tuned T/R switch are activated.

The foregoing general description of the illustrative aspect of thepresent disclosures and the following detailed description thereof aremerely exemplary aspects of the teachings of this disclosure and are notrestrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete appreciation of this disclosure and many of theattendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the samebecomes better understood by reference to the following detaileddescription when considered in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

FIG. 1A is a block diagram of a RF system of an MRI apparatus, accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1B is a block diagram of a T/R switch using hybrid couplers,according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2A is a block diagram of a dual-tuned T/R switch havingmicrostripline based hybrid couplers, according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 2B and FIG. 2C are block diagrams of the dual-tuned T/R switchillustrating a flow of signal during transmit and receive modes,respectively, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3A is a schematic diagram of an example implementation of adual-tuned T/R switch (1H/31P) using two concentric microstripline basedhybrid couplers at a top side, according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 3B is a schematic diagram of an example implementation of adual-tuned T/R switch (1H/31P) using two concentric microstripline basedhybrid couplers at a bottom side, according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 4A illustrates electromagnetic (EM) simulation results ofS-parameters during a transmission mode of a ¹H RF signal, according toan embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4B illustrates EM simulation results of S-parameters during areceiving mode of the ¹H RF signal, according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 4C illustrates EM simulation results of S-parameters during atransmission mode of a ³¹P RF signal, according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 4D illustrates EM simulation results of S-parameters during areceiving mode of a ³¹P RF signal, according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 5A is a schematic circuit diagram of another example implementationof a dual-tuned T/R switch (1H/23Na) using two concentric microstriplinebased hybrid couplers at a top side, according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 5B is a schematic circuit diagram of another example implementationof a dual-tuned T/R switch (1H/23Na) using two concentric microstriplinebased hybrid couplers at a bottom side, according to an embodiment ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 5C is a schematic circuit diagram of an example implementation of adual-tuned T/R switch (1H/23Na) using two concentric microstriplinebased hybrid couplers with a compact outer coupler at a top side,according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5D is a schematic circuit diagram of an example implementation of adual-tuned T/R switch (1H/23Na) using two concentric microstriplinebased hybrid couplers with a compact outer coupler at a bottom side,according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5E is a schematic circuit diagram of an example implementation of adual-tuned T/R switch (1H/23Na) using two concentric microstriplinebased hybrid couplers using a pi-equivalent circuit for both couplers ata top side, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5F is a schematic circuit diagram of an example implementation of adual-tuned T/R switch (1H/23Na) using two concentric microstriplinebased hybrid couplers using a pi-equivalent circuit for both couplers ata bottom side, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6A illustrates EM simulation results of S-parameters for T/R switchof FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B for 1H MRI at 298 MHz, according to an embodimentof the present disclosure;

FIG. 6B illustrates EM simulation results of S-parameters for T/R switchof FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B for 23Na MRI at 78.8 MHz, according to anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6C illustrates EM simulation results of S-parameters for T/R switchof FIG. 5C and FIG. 5D for 1H MRI at 298 MHz, according to an embodimentof the present disclosure;

FIG. 6D illustrates EM simulation results of S-parameters for T/R switchof FIG. 5C and FIG. 5D for 23Na MRI at 78.8 MHz, according to anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6E illustrates EM simulation results of S-parameters for T/R switchof FIG. 5E and FIG. 5F for 1H MRI at 298 MHz, according to an embodimentof the present disclosure;

FIG. 6F illustrates EM simulation results of S-parameters for T/R switchof FIG. 5E and FIG. 5F for 23Na MRI at 78.8 MHz, according to anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7A illustrates a transmission line, according to an embodiment ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 7B illustrates a pi-shaped equivalent transmission line, accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a multi-tuned microstripline based hybridcouplers T/R switch with tuning capabilities, according to an embodimentof the present disclosure;

FIG. 9A illustrates a multi-tuned double-sided microstripline basedhybrid couplers T/R switch at a top side, according to an embodiment ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 9B illustrates a multi-tuned double-sided microstripline basedhybrid couplers T/R switch at a bottom side, according to an embodimentof the present disclosure;

FIG. 10A illustrates S-parameter obtained from simulation at fundamentalfrequency of 120.6 MHz for ³¹P atoms, according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 10B illustrates S-parameter obtained from simulation at fundamentalfrequency of 75 MHz, for ¹³C atoms, according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 10C illustrates S-parameter obtained from simulation at fundamentalfrequency of 78.8 MHz for ²³Na atoms, according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 10D illustrates S-parameter obtained from simulation at fundamentalfrequency of 280 MHz for ¹⁹F atoms, according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 10E illustrates S-parameter obtained from simulation at fundamentalfrequency of 298 MHz for ¹H atoms, according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 11A illustrates a dual-resonance T/R switch for ¹H/²³Na at a topside, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11B illustrate a dual-resonance T/R switch for ¹H/²³Na at a bottomside, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 12A illustrates S-parameters for the symmetricalmicrostripline-based dual-tuned T/R switch of FIG. 11A before applyingtuning mechanism, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;and

FIG. 12B illustrates S-parameters for the symmetricalmicrostripline-based dual-tuned T/R switch of FIG. 11A and FIG. 11Bafter applying a tuning mechanism, according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the drawings, like reference numerals designate identical orcorresponding parts throughout the several views. Further, as usedherein, the words “a,” “an” and the like generally carry a meaning of“one or more,” unless stated otherwise.

Furthermore, the terms “approximately,” “approximate,” “about,” andsimilar terms generally refer to ranges that include the identifiedvalue within a margin of 20%, 10%, or preferably 5%, and any valuesthere between.

Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to an MRI apparatus formagnetic resonance imaging of a subject of investigation.

Referring to FIG. 1A, a block diagram of an RF system 100 of an MRIapparatus, according to one embodiment. FIG. 1A illustrates an RF coil102 controlled using a T/R switch 104. The RF coil 102 is an electricalcomponent that is located within a magnet assembly of an MRI apparatus(not shown) and designed to be placed relatively close to a subject. Thesubject may be, for example, a human patient. The RF coil 102 mayfunction as an antenna for transmitting RF signals and receiving signalsfrom the subject. In some embodiments, there may be different RF coildesigns for different anatomical regions. Known coil designs includebody coils, head coils, and surface coils. Although the RF coil 102described above performs both transmitting and receiving signals, insome implementations, a separate RF transmitting coil and a separate RFreceiving coil may be used for transmitting signals and receivingsignals, respectively.

The T/R switch 104 is an electrical component for directing an RF signalpower from an RF amplifier 106 to the RF coil 102, and a low power RFsignal (also known as nuclear magnetic resonance signal (NMR) signal)from the RF coil 102 to a pre-amplifier 108 (also known as receiver).The T/R switch 104 is designed to protect the pre-amplifier 108 fromdamages caused by high power RF signal transmission while allowing theRF signal from the RF coil 102 to be passed undistorted and undiminishedto the pre-amplifier 108. The T/R switch 104 may include four ports (notshown) connected to various components. The T/R switch 104 iselectrically coupled to the RF amplifier 106 at a first port, the RFcoil 102 at a second port, and the pre-amplifier 108 at a fourth port. Athird port (not shown) is connected to an RF terminator (not shown). Insome embodiments, the third port may be terminated internally to the T/Rswitch 104. The T/R switch 104 may be designed using double sidedmicrostripline based hybrid couplers as described in detail in FIG. 1Band subsequent figures. The RF amplifier 106 (also known as RF poweramplifier) is an RF signal generating unit. The pre-amplifier 108 is acircuit configured to process signals received from the RF coil 102.

In operation, during an RF transmission, an RF signal power is providedby the RF amplifier 106. In some embodiments, the RF signal powergenerated may be in order of several thousand Watts. In someembodiments, the RF signal power required may be determined by astrength of a magnetic field to be applied on the subject. For example,the RF signal power may be proportional to a square of field strength.The generated RF signal power is directed through the T/R switch 104 tothe RF coil 102. The RF coil 102 may transmit the RF signal power to thesubject. In some implementations, the RF signal power is generated as aseries of discrete RF pulses (known as pulsed RF signal power). Thesubject to which the RF signal is transmitted may respond by emitting anRF signal. The emitted RF signals may be received by the RF coil 102 atthe second port and directed to the pre-amplifier 108 through the fourthport. Any additional signals or unwanted reflections are absorbed by theRF terminator at the third port. The RF amplifier 106, the pre-amplifier108, the T/R switch 104, the RF coil 102 and the RF terminator are partof the MRI apparatus, among other components which are not shown anddescribed herein for the sake of brevity.

Referring to FIG. 1B, a block diagram of the T/R switch 104 isdescribed, according to an embodiment. The T/R switch 104 is composed oftwo microstripline based hybrid couplers. The microstripline basedhybrid couplers include a top hybrid coupler 110 and a bottom hybridcoupler 112. The top hybrid coupler 110 and the bottom hybrid coupler112 are connected to a first diode 122 and a second diode 124. Asillustrated in FIG. 1B, the T/R switch 104 has four ports. A first port114 and a second port 116 of the four ports are associated with the tophybrid coupler 110. A third port 118 and a fourth port 120 areassociated with the bottom hybrid coupler 112. The first port 114 iscoupled to the RF amplifier 106. The second port 116 is connected to theRF coil 102. The third port 118 is connected to an RF terminator (notshown). The fourth port 120 is connected to the pre-amplifier 108 and athird diode 126.

During a transmission mode, the pulsed RF signal power is supplied tothe first port 114 as an input signal from the RF amplifier 106. Thefirst diode 122, the second diode 124, and the third diode 126 areforward biased. As a result of the first diode 122, the second diode 124in forward bias, the supplied RF signal power is reflected to the secondport 116. The pre-amplifier 108 is protected from the RF signal power asa result of forward bias of the third diode 126. The RF coil 102 coupledto the second port 116 receives the pulsed RF signal power and transmitsthe pulsed RF signal power to the subject. During receiving mode, thefirst diode 122, the second diode 124 and the third diode 126 arereverse biased. An RF signal received at the RF coil 102 from thesubject is obtained at the second port 116. From the second port 116,the received RF signal is split between mid-paths and recombined at thefourth port 120. Any unbalanced signals are terminated at the RFterminator at the third port 118. In one example, the T/R switch 104 maybe implemented using a folded prototype.

FIG. 2A illustrates a block diagram of a dual-tuned T/R switch 200 of anMRI apparatus having microstripline based hybrid couplers, according toone embodiment. The T/R switch 200 is composed of double sidedmicrostripline based couplers, A top side 202 and a bottom side 204. Thetop side 202 of the T/R switch 200 includes two concentricmicrostripline based hybrid couplers 206. The two concentricmicrostripline based hybrid couplers 206 include an inner microstriplinebased hybrid coupler 208 and an outer microstripline based hybridcoupler 210. The inner microstripline based hybrid coupler 208 forms aninner loop of the two concentric microstripline based hybrid couplers206. The outer microstripline based hybrid coupler 210 forms an outerloop around the inner loop sharing a common center. The innermicrostripline based hybrid coupler 208 includes connections to a firstport 222 configured to receive a first pulsed RF signal power as aninput signal from an RF amplifier (not shown), and a second port 224connected to a first RF coil (not shown) to output the first pulsed RFsignal power. The inner microstripline based hybrid coupler 208 alsoincludes connections to a first diode 226 and a second diode 228. Theouter microstripline based hybrid coupler 210 at the top side 202includes connections to a fifth port 242 configured to receive a secondpulsed RF signal power from another RF amplifier (not shown) as anotherinput signal, and a sixth port 244 connected to a second RF coil tooutput the second pulsed RF signal power. The outer microstripline basedhybrid coupler 210 also includes connections to a fourth diode 248 and afifth diode 250. In one embodiment, the inner microstripline basedhybrid coupler 208 may have the same shape as compared to the outermicrostripline based hybrid coupler 210. In some embodiments, the innermicrostripline based hybrid coupler 208 may have a different shape ascompared to the outer microstripline based hybrid coupler 210.

Similar to the top side 202, the bottom side 204 includes two concentricmicrostripline based hybrid couplers 216. The two concentricmicrostripline based hybrid couplers 216 includes an innermicrostripline based hybrid coupler 218 and an outer microstriplinebased hybrid coupler 220. The inner microstripline based hybrid coupler218 forms an inner loop of the two concentric microstripline basedhybrid couplers, and the outer microstripline based hybrid coupler 220forms an outer loop around the inner loop sharing a common center. Theinner microstripline based hybrid coupler 218 is connected to the innermicrostripline based hybrid coupler 208 at the first diode 226 and thesecond diode 228. The inner microstripline based hybrid coupler 218includes connections to a third diode 230, a third port 232 connected toa first RF terminator (not shown), and a fourth port 236 connected to afirst pre-amplifier (not shown). The outer microstripline based hybridcoupler 220 is connected to the outer microstripline based hybridcoupler 210 at the fourth diode 248 and the fifth diode 250. The outermicrostripline based hybrid coupler 220 also includes connections to asixth diode 252, a seventh port 254 connected to a second RF terminator(not shown), and an eighth port 258 connected to a second pre-amplifier(not shown). In one embodiment, the inner microstripline based hybridcoupler 218 may have the same shape in comparison to the outermicrostripline based hybrid coupler 220. In some embodiments, the innermicrostripline based hybrid coupler 218 may have a different shape incomparison to the outer microstripline based hybrid coupler 220. In someembodiments, the top side 202 and the bottom side 204 of the T/R switch200 are of equal sizes. In some embodiments, the top side 202 and thebottom side 204 of the T/R switch 200 are of different sizes. Also, insome embodiments, the top side 202 and the bottom side 204 of the T/Rswitch 200 may be of a same shape. In some embodiments, the top side 202and the bottom side 204 of the T/R switch 200 may be of differentshapes.

The first port 222 is an input port configured to receive the firstpulsed RF signal input power. The fifth port 242 is another input portconfigured to receive a second pulsed RF signal input power. The secondport 224 is an output port electrically coupled to the first RF coil,and the sixth port 244 is also an output port electrically coupled tothe second RF coil. The fourth port 236 and the eighth port 258 areelectrically coupled to the first pre-amplifier and the secondpre-amplifier. The first pre-amplifier and the second pre-amplifier areconfigured to receive a first emitted RF signal and a second emitted RFsignal, respectively, from the subject. The third port 232 and theseventh port 254 are coupled to the first RF terminator and the secondRF terminator. In an example, the first RF terminator and the second RFterminator may be 50 Ohm RF terminators. A set of DC block capacitorsare used at the first port 222, the second port 224, the third port 232,the fourth port 236, the fifth port 242, the sixth port 244, the seventhport 254, and the eighth port 258 to block any stray DC signals. Thefirst diode 226, the second diode 228, the third diode 230, the fourthdiode 248, the fifth diode 250, and the sixth diode 252 are, forexample, PIN diodes.

The dual-tuned T/R switch 200 is configured to operate in a transmissionmode and a receiving mode. In the transmission mode, the innermicrostripline based hybrid coupler 208 and the outer microstriplinebased hybrid coupler 210 at the top side 202 of the T/R switch 200 areactivated, while the inner microstripline based hybrid coupler 218 andthe outer microstripline based hybrid coupler 220 at the bottom side 204of the T/R switch 200 are kept inactive. The first pulsed RF signalpower is supplied to the first port 222, and the second pulsed RF signalpower is supplied to the fifth port 242. The first diode 226 and thesecond diode 228 are short circuited (for example, by forward biasing)leading to a reflection of the first pulsed RF signal power to thesecond port 224. From the second port 224, the first pulsed RF signalpower is transmitted to the first RF coil. Similarly, the fourth diode248 and the fifth diode 250 are short circuited (for example, by forwardbiasing) to reflect the second pulsed RF signal power to the sixth port244 at which the second RF coil is connected. From the sixth port 244,the second pulsed RF signal power is transmitted to the second RF coil.The first RF coil and the second RF coil transmit the first pulsed RFsignal power and the second pulsed RF signal power, respectively, to thesubject. To prevent any damages to the fourth port 236 (which is coupledto the first pre-amplifier) from the first pulsed RF signal power, thethird diode 230 is configured as short circuit to block the first pulsedRF signal power. Similarly, the eighth port 258 (which is coupled to thesecond pre-amplifier) is protected from the second pulsed RF signalpower by keeping the sixth diode 253 in a short circuit (for example, byforward biasing) to block the second pulsed RF signal power,respectively. The flow of signals in the transmission mode isillustrated in FIG. 2B. FIG. 2B illustrates the first pulsed RF signalpower in dashed lines, and the second pulsed RF signal power indot-dashed lines.

In a receiving mode, the inner microstripline based hybrid coupler 208and the outer microstripline based hybrid coupler 210 at the top side202, and the inner microstripline based hybrid coupler 218 and the outermicrostripline based hybrid coupler 220 at the bottom side 204 of theT/R switch 200 are activated. The first diode 226, the second diode 228,the third diode 230, the fourth diode 248, the fifth diode 250, and thesixth diode 253 are kept in an open circuit state (for example, reversebiased). The first RF coil receives a first emitted RF signal, and thesecond RF coil receives a second emitted RF signal from the subject. Thefirst emitted RF signal may be transmitted through the second port 224to the first pre-amplifier via the fourth port 236. The first emitted RFsignal is split in between mid-path as the first diode 226 and thesecond diode 228 are in an open circuit state. The first emitted RFsignal that is split is combined and collected at the fourth port 235and transmitted to the first pre-amplifier. The second emitted RF signalmay be transmitted to the second pre-amplifier from the sixth port viathe eighth port 258. The second emitted RF signal may be split inbetween mid-path due to the fourth diode 248 and the fifth diode 250placed in an open circuit state. The second emitted RF signal that issplit is combined and collected at the eighth port 258 and sent to thesecond pre-amplifier. Any unbalanced portions of the first emitted RFsignal and the second emitted RF signal may be absorbed by the first RFterminator connected at the third port 232 and the second RF terminatorconnected to the seventh port 254, respectively. FIG. 2C illustrates theflow of signals in the receiving mode with the received first RF signalindicated in dashed lines, and the received second RF signal indicatedin dot-dash lines.

Having the double sided microstripline based hybrid couplers 200 in theT/R switch 200 provides capabilities to the MRI apparatus to administertwo signals of different frequencies to two different RF coils (that isthe first RF coil and the second RF coil), allowing interrogation of twoatomic nuclei at a same time. In one or more embodiments, the T/R switch200 may not have to be configured to have dual tuned switches. As aresult, a user may select any set of the dual tuned switches. Someexamples of dual tuned switch include ¹H/²³Na, ¹H/³¹P, ¹H/¹³C and 1H/¹⁹FRF.

FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B illustrate a schematic circuit diagram of an exampleimplementation of the T/R switch 200 of the block diagram illustrated inFIG. 2A. The T/R switch 200 in this example implementation is with twoconcentric microstripline based couplers at a top side 302 are shown inFIG. 3A, and two concentric microstripline based couplers at a bottomside 304 are shown in FIG. 3B. The example implementation illustrates adesign of the T/R switch 200 based on the microstripline based couplerwith two concentric microstriplines to handle signals ¹H/³¹P. The T/Rswitch 200 based on the microstripline based coupler is designed toresonate at two different frequencies namely for 298 MHz at ¹H and at120 MHz for ³¹P at 7 Tesla MRI. The T/R switch 200 as illustrated inFIG. 3A and FIG. 3B are designed using an electromagnetic microwavestudio Computer Simulation Technology (CST). The design is achieved byhaving two concentric microstripline based couplers at a top side 302 asshown in FIG. 3A, and two concentric microstripline based couplers at abottom side 304 as shown in FIG. 3B. The example microstripline basedhybrid coupler switch is designed using a folded shape with a dimensionof (170 mm×160 mm×1.27 mm). FIG. 3A illustrates an inner microstriplinebased hybrid coupler 308 and an outer microstripline based hybridcoupler 310, with the inner microstripline based hybrid coupler 308forming an inner loop, and the outer microstripline based hybrid coupler310 forming an outer loop around the inner loop sharing a common center.The inner microstripline based hybrid coupler 308 includes a connectionto a first port 322 configured to receive pulsed ¹H RF signal power, andthe outer microstripline based hybrid coupler 310 includes a connectionto a fifth port 342 to receive pulsed ³¹P RF signal power as input,respectively. The inner microstripline based hybrid coupler 308 includesa connection to a second port 324 connected to the ¹H RF coil totransmit the pulsed ¹H RF signal power, and the outer microstriplinebased hybrid coupler 310 includes a connection to a sixth port 344connected to the ³¹P RF coil to transmit the pulsed ³¹P RF signal powerto a subject. The inner microstripline based hybrid coupler 308 includesconnections to a first PIN diode 326 and a second PIN diode 328, and theouter microstripline based hybrid coupler 310 is illustrated to haveconnections with a fourth PIN diode 348 and a fifth PIN diode 350.

FIG. 3B illustrates a designed microstripline based couplers with twoconcentric microstriplines at the bottom side 304. Similar to the topside 302, the bottom side 304 includes two concentric microstriplinebased hybrid couplers having an inner microstripline based hybridcoupler 318 and an outer microstripline based hybrid coupler 320. Theinner microstripline based hybrid coupler 318 forms an inner loop, andthe outer microstripline based hybrid coupler 320 forms an outer looparound the inner loop with a common center. The inner microstriplinebased hybrid coupler 318 at the bottom side 304 includes connections tothe first PIN diode 326, the second PIN diode 328, a third port 332connected to a first RF terminator (of 50 Ohms), and a fourth port 336connected to a ¹H pre-amplifier along with a third PIN diode 330. Theouter microstripline based hybrid coupler 320 is illustrated to haveconnections with the fourth PIN diode 348, the fifth PIN diode 350, aseventh port 354 connected to a second RF terminator, an eighth port 358connected to ³¹P pre-amplifier, and a sixth PIN diode 352. According tothe example implementation, the top side 302 and the bottom side 304 ofthe double sided microstripline based hybrid couplers are rectangular inshape, with a length of 170 mm and a width of 160 mm. In other exampleimplementations, the top side 302 and the bottom side 304 of the doublesided microstripline based hybrid couplers may be designed withdifferent shapes and/or dimensions.

In a transmission mode, the inner microstripline based hybrid coupler308 and the outer microstripline based hybrid coupler 310 at the topside 302 of the double sided microstripline based hybrid couplers areactivated, while the inner microstripline based hybrid coupler 318 andthe outer microstripline based hybrid coupler 310 at the bottom side 304of the double sided microstripline based hybrid couplers aredeactivated. The pulsed ¹H RF signal power and pulsed ³¹P RF signalpower are input into the first port 322 and the fifth port 342,respectively. The first PIN diode 326 and the second PIN diode 328 areshort circuited, causing a reflection of the pulsed ¹H RF signal powerto the second port 324 to which the ¹H RF coil is connected. Similarly,the fourth PIN diode 348 and the fifth PIN diode 350 for ³¹P are shortcircuited, causing a reflection of the pulsed ³¹P signals to the sixthport at which the ³¹P RF coil is connected. As described above, thefourth port 336 and the eighth port 358 are protected from the ¹H PulsedRF signal power and the ³¹P pulsed RF signal power, by configuring thethird PIN diode 330 and sixth PIN diode 353 as short circuits to blockthe stray pulsed ¹H RF signal and the pulsed ³¹P RF signal,respectively. The flow of signals in the transmission mode is shown inFIG. 2B where the signals flow is shown in dotted and dashed lines.

In a receiving mode, the inner microstripline based hybrid coupler 308and the outer microstripline based hybrid coupler 310 at the top side302, and the inner microstripline based hybrid coupler 318 and the outermicrostripline based hybrid coupler 320 at the bottom side 304 of theT/R switch are activated. The ¹H RF coil and ³¹P RF coils receiveemitted ¹H RF signal and ³¹P RF signal from the subject. The received ¹HRF signal is split between mid-path due to open circuits caused by thefirst PIN diode 326, the second PIN diode 328, and the third PIN diode230. The received ¹H RF signal power is combined and collected at thefourth port 336. The collected ¹H RF signal power is provided to thefirst pre-amplifier. Similarly, the received ³¹P RF signal is splitbetween mid-path due to open circuits caused by the fourth PIN diode348, the fifth PIN diode 350, and the sixth PIN diode 252. The received³¹P RF signal is combined and collected at the sixth port 344. Thecollected ²¹P RF signal is provided to the second pre-amplifier. Anyunbalanced and stray signals are absorbed by the 50 Ohms terminatorsconnected at the third port 332 and the seventh port 354, respectively.The flow of signals in the transmission mode and the receiving mode issimilar to that as shown in FIG. 2B and FIG. 2C, respectively. The flowof received ¹H RF signal is shown a dashed lines, and the received ³¹PRF signal power is shown as dotted lines in FIG. 2C for the receivingmode. Simulation is performed on the schematic circuits shown in FIG. 3Aand FIG. 3B, and resultant EM simulation S-parameters are illustrated inFIG. 4A and FIG. 4B.

FIG. 4A illustrates electromagnetic (EM) simulation results ofS-parameters during the transmission mode of a pulsed ¹H RF signalpower. The EM simulation results of S-parameters with reference to FIGS.3A and 3B illustrates good matching at the first port 322 (input port)indicated by S11, and a low insertion loss of around 0.3 dB between thefirst port 322 and the second port 324 (output port at the ¹H RF coil)indicated by S21. Also, the EM simulation results illustrate a highisolation of about −80 dB between the first port 322 and the fourth port336 (at the ¹H pre-amplifier) during the transmission mode as indicatedby S41. The isolation between the inner microstripline based hybridcoupler 308 and the outer microstripline based hybrid coupler 310 hasbeen illustrated to have about −75 dB indicated as S51. FIG. 4Billustrates EM simulation results with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B ofS-parameters during the receiving mode of the ¹H RF signal. The EMsimulation illustrates good matching the second port 324 (at the ¹H RFcoil) indicated by S22, and a low insertion loss of around 0.2 dBbetween the second port 324 (at the ¹H RF coil) and the fourth port 336(at ¹H pre-amplifier) indicated by S42. In addition, high isolationbetween the second port 324 (at ¹H RF coil) and the first port 322 ofabout 40 dB, is illustrated by S12. The isolation between the innermicrostripline based hybrid coupler 308 and the inner microstriplinebased hybrid coupler 318, and the outer microstripline based hybridcoupler 310 and the outer microstripline based hybrid coupler 320, isshown to be more than −70 dB, and shown as S52. FIG. 4C shows the EMsimulation S-parameters during the transmission mode of the ³¹P PulsedRF signal power. The EM simulation with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3Bshows good matching at the fifth port 342 illustrated by S55, and lowinsertion loss (around 0.3 dB) between the fifth port 342 (at ³¹P RFsignal power input) and the sixth port 344 (at ³¹P RF coil) indicated byS65. High isolation between the fifth port 342 (at ³¹P input) and theeighth port 25 of more than −80 dB has been illustrated as S85. Theisolation between the inner microstripline based hybrid coupler 308 andthe outer microstripline based hybrid coupler 310 has been illustratedto have about −75 dB illustrated as S15. FIG. 4D with reference to FIGS.3A and 3B illustrates the EM simulation S-parameters during thereceiving mode of the ³¹P RF signal. Good matching at the sixth port 344(at ³¹P RF coil) is illustrated as S66, and negligible insertion loss(less than 0.2 dB) between the sixth port 344 (at ³¹P RF coil) and theeighth port 358 (at ³¹P pre-amplifier) is indicated by S86. In addition,high isolation between the sixth port 344 (at ³¹P First RF coil) and thefifth port (at ³¹P RF input) is illustrated as S56. The isolationbetween the inner microstripline based hybrid coupler 318 and the outermicrostripline based hybrid coupler 320 has been illustrated to haveabout −75 dB illustrated as S16.

FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B illustrates an example implementation of a schematiccircuit diagram of the T/R switch 200 of FIGS. 2A-2C, according to oneembodiment. The double-sided microstripline based hybrid couplers areanother example implementation of T/R switch 200 of FIGS. 2A-2C. FIG. 5Aand FIG. 5B illustrates 502 and 504 as example implementation of the T/Rswitch 200 designed using folded microstripline to handle the signalsfrom/to ¹H/²³Na magnetic resonance coils at 7 Tesla. This exampleimplementation of T/R switch 200 of FIGS. 5A-5B is designed incorrespondence with the design of microstripline based couplers with twoconcentric microstriplines illustrated in FIGS. 3A-3B. In thisembodiment, an inner coupler (that includes an inner microstriplinebased hybrid coupler 508 and an inner microstripline based hybridcoupler 518) is designed at a resonance frequency 298 MHz for Hydrogen(¹H) atoms. An outer coupler (including an outer microstripline basedhybrid coupler 510 and an outer microstripline based hybrid coupler 520)is designed at a resonance frequency 78.8 MHz for Sodium (²³Na) atoms.The T/R switch 200 for the above resonant frequencies, with the designcorresponding to the double-sided microstripline based hybrid couplersof FIGS. 3A-B, is illustrated with dimensions of 230 mm×200 mm in FIGS.5A and 5B. The design and functioning of the T/R switch 200 illustratedin FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B are substantially similar to that of the T/Rswitch illustrated in FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B. The T/R switch 200 includes atop side 502 as shown in FIG. 5A, and a bottom side 504 as shown in FIG.5B.

FIG. 5A illustrates an inner microstripline based hybrid coupler 508 andan outer microstripline based hybrid coupler 510, with the innermicrostripline based hybrid coupler 508 forming an inner loop, and theouter microstripline based hybrid coupler 510 forming an outer looparound the inner loop sharing a common center. The inner microstriplinebased hybrid coupler 508 includes connection to a first port 522configured to receive pulsed ¹H RF signal power, and the outermicrostripline based hybrid coupler 562 includes connection to a fifthport 542 configured to receive pulsed ²³Na RF signal power as inputsignals. A second port 524 is connected to the ¹H RF coil to transmitthe pulsed ¹H RF signal power, and the sixth port 544 is connected tothe ²³Na RF coil to transmit the pulsed ²³Na RF signal power to asubject. The inner microstripline based hybrid coupler 508 includesconnections to a first PIN diode 526 and a second PIN diode 528, and theouter microstripline based hybrid coupler 510 is illustrated to haveconnections with a fourth PIN diode 548 and a fifth PIN diode 550. FIG.5B illustrates a designed microstripline based couplers with twoconcentric microstriplines at the bottom side 504. Similar to the topside 502, the bottom side 504 includes two concentric microstriplinebased hybrid couplers having an inner microstripline based hybridcoupler 518 and an outer microstripline based hybrid coupler 520. Theinner microstripline based hybrid coupler 518 forms an inner loop, andthe outer microstripline based hybrid coupler 520 forms an outer looparound the inner loop with a common center. The inner microstriplinebased hybrid coupler 518 at the bottom side 504 includes connections tothe first PIN diode 526, the second PIN diode 528, a third port 532connected to a first RF terminator (of 50 Ohms), and a fourth port 536connected to a ¹H pre-amplifier along with a third PIN diode 530. Theouter microstripline based hybrid coupler 520 is illustrated to haveconnections with the fourth PIN diode 548, the fifth PIN diode 550, aseventh port 554 connected to a second RF terminator, and an eighth port558 connected to ²³Na pre-amplifier and a sixth PIN diode 552. Accordingto the example implementation, the top side 502 and the bottom side 504of the double sided microstripline based hybrid couplers are rectangularin shape.

Operation of this dual-tuned T/R switch 200 of FIGS. 5A and 5B based ondouble sided microstripline based hybrid couplers is substantiallysimilar as described in FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B. During a transmission mode,the inner microstripline based hybrid coupler 508 and the outermicrostripline based hybrid coupler 510 are activated, and the innermicrostripline based hybrid coupler 518 and the outer microstriplinebased hybrid coupler 520 are inactivated. The ¹H pulsed RF signal poweris supplied to a first port 522 and transmitted to a first RF coil (¹HRF coil) through a second port 524. At the same time, ²³NA pulsed RFsignal power is supplied to a fifth port 542 and transmitted to a secondRF coil (²³NA RF coil) through a sixth port 544. During a receivingmode, the inner microstripline based hybrid coupler 508, the outermicrostripline based hybrid coupler 510, the inner microstripline basedhybrid coupler 518, and the outer microstripline based hybrid coupler520 are activated. The ¹H RF signal emitted by a subject is obtained bythe first RF coil and is transmitted to a fourth port 536 through thesecond port 524, while ²³NA RF signal emitted by the subject is obtainedby the second RF coil at the sixth port 544 and is transmitted to aneighth port 558. Any unbalanced ²³NA RF signal power or ¹H RF signalpower in the transmission mode or the receiving mode, are absorbed by anRF terminator connected to a third port 532 and an RF terminatorconnected to a seventh port 554. In this example, the T/R switch 200 isdescribed in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B, the the T/R switch 200 is designed ona RO3010 Rogers substrate with εr=10.2 and tan δ=0.0022. Simulation isperformed on the schematic circuits shown in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B, andresultant EM simulation S-parameters are illustrated in FIG. 6A and FIG.6B.

FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B shows the EM simulation results of S-parameters forT/R switch 200 as implemented in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B, respectively. FIG.6A illustrates the S-parameters for ¹H coupler during the transmissionmode and the receiving mode. The S-parameter illustrates good matchingwith a negligible insertion loss of about 0.1 dB indicated by S21 duringthe transmission mode, and a low insertion loss of about 0.1 dBindicated by S42 during the receiving mode. The S-parameters S11 and S22indicate good matching at the first port 522 and the second port 524, atthe transmission mode and the receiving mode, respectively. FIG. 6Billustrates S-parameters for the outer coupler (²³Na coupler) during thetransmission mode and the receiving mode. The S-parameter illustratesgood matching of low insertion loss of about 0.05 dB indicated by S65during the transmission mode, and low insertion loss of about 0.05 dBindicated by S86 during the receiving mode. The S-parameters S55 and S66indicate good matching at the fifth port 542 and the sixth port 544, atthe transmission mode and the receiving mode, respectively. In addition,the EM simulation demonstrates more than 75 dB isolation (S51) betweenthe inner coupler and the outer coupler (not shown).

As seen in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B, some unused space between the outercoupler and the inner coupler may be identified. The unused space may bereduced by designing the outer coupler closer to the inner coupler,sharing a common center. In one embodiment, a transmission line theorybased miniaturization technique to reduce the unused space may be used.A conventional transmission line 700A is represented by FIG. 7A, and atransmission line 700B represented by a pi-shaped equivalent circuit isillustrated in FIG. 7B. The pi-shaped equivalent includes one seriestransmission line and two open stubs. Equivalent circuit parameters maybe expressed by:

$\begin{matrix}{{Z_{s} = \frac{{Zc}\sin\theta}{\sin\theta s}};} & (1)\end{matrix}$ $\begin{matrix}{{\frac{\tan\theta o}{Zo} = \frac{{\cos\theta s} - {\cos\theta}}{{Zc}\sin\theta}};} & (2)\end{matrix}$

where Zc and θ are the characteristic impedance and electrical length ofthe conventional transmission line, respectively. Zs and θs are thecharacteristic impedance and electrical length of the seriestransmission line in the pi-equivalent circuit, respectively. Zo and θoare the characteristic impedance and the electrical length of the twoopen stubs. Electrical length of series transmission line Os may bechosen to be 45°. Equations (1) and (2) may be computed twice. In oneembodiment, the equation (1) and the equation (2) may be computedinitially for the hybrid coupler branch with conventional transmissionline parameters Zc=50Ω and θ=90°. The equation (1) and the equation (2)may be computed subsequently for the hybrid coupler branch with theconventional transmission line parameters Zc=50/√2Ω and θ=90°. Theresults have been summarized in Table 1, where w and l are the width andlength of the corresponding microstripline, respectively.

TABLE 1 78.8 MHZ COUPLER WITH θ_(s) = 45 Zc = 50 Ω, θ = 90° Zc = 35.35Ω, θ = 90° Zs 70.71 Ω ω = 0.45 mm 50 Ω ω = 1.07 mm {close oversizebrace} {close oversize brace} θs 45^(□) l = 180 mm 45^(□) l = 175.5 mmZo 70.71 Ω ω = 0.45 mm 50 Ω ω = 1.07 mm {close oversize brace} {closeoversize brace} θo 45^(□) l = 180 mm 45^(□) l = 175.5 mm

A resultant of compact design of the T/R switch 200 is illustrated as anexample implementation in FIG. 5C and FIG. 5D. The top side 500C of theT/R switch 200 illustrates a compact design of a ²³Na hybrid coupler(outer coupler) with the ¹H inner coupler design unchanged. In theexample, the inner microstripline based hybrid coupler 508 and the innermicrostripline based hybrid coupler 518 have been designed at aresonance frequency of 298 MHz for Hydrogen (¹H) atoms. The compactouter microstripline based hybrid coupler 562 and the compact outermicrostripline based hybrid coupler 572 have been designed at aresonance frequency of 78.8 MHz for Sodium (²³Na) atoms.

FIG. 5C illustrates a top side 500C having an inner microstripline basedhybrid coupler 508 and an outer microstripline based hybrid coupler 562,with the inner microstripline based hybrid coupler 508 forming an innerloop, and the outer microstripline based hybrid coupler 562 forming anouter loop around the inner loop sharing a common center. The innermicrostripline based hybrid coupler 508 includes connection to a firstport 522 configured to receive pulsed ¹H RF signal power, and the outermicrostripline based hybrid coupler 562 includes connection to a fifthport 582 configured to receive pulsed ²³Na RF signal power as inputsignals. A second port 524 is connected to the ¹H RF coil to transmitthe pulsed ¹H RF signal power, and the sixth port 584 is connected tothe ²³Na RF coil to transmit the pulsed ²³Na RF signal power to asubject. The inner microstripline based hybrid coupler 508 includesconnections to a first PIN diode 526 and a second PIN diode 528, and theouter microstripline based hybrid coupler 562 is illustrated to haveconnections with a fourth PIN diode 548 ₁ and a fifth PIN diode 550 ₁.FIG. 5D illustrates a designed microstripline based coupler with twoconcentric microstriplines at the bottom side 500D. Similar to the topside 500C, the bottom side 500D includes two concentric microstriplinebased hybrid couplers having an inner microstripline based hybridcoupler 518 and an outer microstripline based hybrid coupler 572. Theinner microstripline based hybrid coupler 518 forms an inner loop, andthe outer microstripline based hybrid coupler 572 forms an outer looparound the inner loop with a common center. The inner microstriplinebased hybrid coupler 518 at the bottom side 504 includes connections tothe first PIN diode 526, the second PIN diode 528, a third port 532connected to a first RF terminator (of 50 Ohms), and a fourth port 536connected to a ¹H pre-amplifier along with a third PIN diode 530. Theouter microstripline based hybrid coupler 572 is illustrated to haveconnections with the fourth PIN diode 548 ₁, the fifth PIN diode 550 ₁,a seventh port 586 connected to a second RF terminator, and an eighthport 588 connected to ²³Na pre-amplifier and a sixth PIN diode 352 ₁.According to the example implementation, the top side 500C and thebottom side 500D of the double sided microstripline based hybridcouplers are rectangular in shape.

In one or more embodiments, each adjacent open stubs in the T/R switch200 of FIGS. 5C and 5D is replaced with a shunt capacitor Cp with avalue of 69 pF, enabling the reduction in size of the outermicrostripline based hybrid couplers 562-572. For example, the stubs atthe fifth port 582, the sixth port 584, a fourth PIN diode 548 ₁, afifth PIN diode 550 ₁, the eighth port 588, the seventh port 586, afourth PIN diode 548 ₁ (bottom side) and a fifth PIN diode 550 ₁ (bottomside) are connected with the shunt capacitors Cp 590 ₁, Cp 590 ₂, Cp 590₃, Cp 590 ₄, Cp 590 ₅, Cp 590 ₆, Cp 590 ₇ and Cp 590 ₈ respectively. Thesize of this example implementation of the T/R switch 200 illustrated in500C-500D (120 mm×100 mm) has been reduced close to half as compared tothe size of the double sided microstripline based hybrid couplers502-504 (230 mm×200 mm). Functioning of the T/R switch 200 of FIGS. 5Cand 5D is substantially similar to that of the T/R switch 200implementation in in FIGS. 5A and 5B, respectively.

FIG. 6C and FIG. 6D shows the EM simulation results of S-parameters forthe T/R switch of FIG. 5C and FIG. 5D, with a compact outer coupler(²³Na coupler). FIG. 6C illustrates S-parameters for the inner coupler(¹H coupler) of the T/R switch during the transmit mode and the receivemode. The S-parameter illustrates good matching with a low insertionloss of about 0.12 dB indicated by S21 during the transmission mode, andgood matching with a low insertion loss of about 0.14 dB indicated byS42 during the receive mode. FIG. 6D illustrates S-parameters for thecompact outer coupler during the transmission mode and the receivingmode. The S-parameter illustrates good matching with a low insertionloss of about 0.033 dB as indicated by S65 during the transmission mode,and good matching with a low insertion loss of about 0.33 dB asindicated by S86 during the receiving mode. Also, more than 60 dBisolation is achieved as indicated by S51 between the inner coupler andouter couplers (not shown).

FIG. 5E and FIG. 5F illustrates a schematic diagram obtained byapplication of the transmission line theory based miniaturizationtechnique to reduce unused space within the inner couplers and betweenthe inner couplers and the outer couplers.

In one or more embodiments, smaller electrical length of the seriesmicrostripline in the Pi-shape equivalent circuit in FIG. 7B can beused. For the inner couplers and the outer couplers, an electricallength of 30° has been chosen. By applying the transmission line theorybased miniaturization technique that was described for reducing the sizeof the inner coupler and the outer coupler, width (w) and length (l) ofthe corresponding microstripline are obtained. The w and/are the widthand length of the corresponding microstriplines are provided in Table 2and Table 3.

TABLE 2 78.8 MHZ COUPLER WITH θ_(s) = 30 Zc = 50 Ω, θ = 90° Zc = 35.35Ω, θ = 90° Zs 100 Ω ω = 0.13 mm 70.71 Ω ω = 0.45 mm {close oversizebrace} {close oversize brace} θs 30^(□) l = 123 mm 30^(□) l = 120 mm Zo100 Ω ω = 0.13 mm 70.71 Ω ω = 0.45 mm {close oversize brace} {closeoversize brace} θo 60^(□) l = 246 mm 60^(□) l = 240 mm

TABLE 3 298 MHZ COUPLER WITH θ_(s) = 30 Zc = 50 Ω, θ = 90° Zc = 35.35 Ω,θ = 90° Zs 100 Ω ω = 0.13 mm 70.71 Ω ω = 0.45 mm {close oversize brace}{close oversize brace} θs 30^(□) l = 32.5 mm 30^(□) l = 31.8 mm Zo 100 Ωω = 0.13 mm 70.71 Ω ω = 0.45 mm {close oversize brace} {close oversizebrace} θo 60^(□) l = 65 mm 60^(□) l = 63.6 mm

As similar to FIG. 5C and FIG. 5D, shunt capacitors have been added onall edges of each coupler as shown in FIG. 5E and FIG. 5F. In oneexample, shunt capacitor of 22 pF is used in the inner coupler, and 85pF is used in the outer coupler, enabling reduction of space. As aresult of using the transmission line theory based miniaturizationtechnique, the dimensions of the T/R switch has been reduced to 70 mm×65mm, which is about 70% smaller than the design described in FIG. 5A andFIG. 5B.

Referring to construction, FIG. 5E illustrates a top side 500E having aninner microstripline based hybrid coupler 508 ₁ and an outermicrostripline based hybrid coupler 562 ₁, with the inner microstriplinebased hybrid coupler 508 ₁ forming an inner loop, and the outermicrostripline based hybrid coupler 562 ₁ forming an outer loop aroundthe inner loop sharing a common center. The inner microstripline basedhybrid coupler 508 ₁ includes connection to a first port 522 ₁configured to receive pulsed ¹H RF signal power, and the outermicrostripline based hybrid coupler 562 ₁ includes connection to a fifthport 582 ₁ configured to receive pulsed ²³Na RF signal power as inputsignals. A second port 524 ₁ is connected to the ¹H RF coil to transmitthe pulsed ¹H RF signal power, and the sixth port 584 ₁ is connected tothe ²³Na RF coil to transmit the pulsed ²³Na RF signal power to asubject. The inner microstripline based hybrid coupler 508 includesconnections to a first PIN diode 526 ₁ and a second PIN diode 528 ₁, andthe outer microstripline based hybrid coupler 562 ₁ is illustrated tohave connections with a fourth PIN diode 592 and a fifth PIN diode 594.FIG. 5F illustrates an example implementation of the bottom side 500F ofthe T/R switch 200. Similar to the top side 500E, the bottom side 500Fincludes two concentric microstripline based hybrid couplers having aninner microstripline based hybrid coupler 518 ₁ and an outermicrostripline based hybrid coupler 572 ₁. The inner microstriplinebased hybrid coupler 518 ₁ forms an inner loop, and the outermicrostripline based hybrid coupler 572 ₁ forms an outer loop around theinner loop with a common center. The inner microstripline based hybridcoupler 518 ₁ at the bottom side 500F includes connections to the firstPIN diode 526 ₁, the second PIN diode 528 ₁, a third port 532 ₁connected to a first RF terminator (of 50 Ohms), and a fourth port 536 ₁connected to a ¹H pre-amplifier along with a third PIN diode 598. Theouter microstripline based hybrid coupler 572 ₁ is illustrated to haveconnections with the fourth PIN diode 592, the fifth PIN diode 594, aseventh port 586 ₁ connected to a second RF terminator, and an eighthport 588 ₁ connected to ²³Na pre-amplifier and a sixth PIN diode 556.According to the example implementation, the top side 500E and thebottom side 500F of the double sided microstripline based hybridcouplers are rectangular in shape.

FIG. 5E illustrates a top side 500E with a compact outer coupler havingconnections to a fifth port 582, a sixth port 584, a fourth PIN diodeand a fifth PIN diode. The shunt capacitors Cp 590 ₁-590 ₄ are coupledat connections to the fifth port 582, the sixth port 584, the fourth PINdiode and the fifth PIN diode. The top side 500E also includes a compactinner coupler having connections to a first port 522 ₁, a second port524 ₁, a first PIN diode 526 ₁ and a second PIN diode 528 ₁. The shuntcapacitors C_(H) 596 ₁, C_(H) 596 ₂, C_(H) 596 ₃, and C_(H) 596 ₄, arecoupled at connections to the first port 522 ₁, the second port 524 ₁,the first PIN diode 522 ₁ and the second PIN diode 528 ₁, respectively.Functioning of the T/R switch 200 implemented as 500E-500F aresubstantially similar to that of the T/R switch 200 implementation as500C-500D.

FIG. 6E and FIG. 6F illustrates the EM simulation S-parameters resultsfor the T/R switch of FIG. 5E and FIG. 5F. FIG. 6E shows theS-parameters with good matching having a low insertion loss of about0.04 dB indicated by S21 during the transmission mode, and about 0.16 dBindicated by S42 during the receiving mode. FIG. 6F shows theS-parameters for the outer coupler (23Na coupler) during thetransmission mode and the receiving mode. FIG. 6F illustratesS-parameters with good matching having a low insertion loss of about0.03 dB indicated by S65 during the transmission mode and 0.33 dBindicated by S86 during the receiving mode. The simulation alsodemonstrates more than 55 dB isolation (S51) between the inner couplerand the outer coupler.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of microstripline based hybrid couplers T/Rswitch 800 with tuning capabilities, according to an embodiment. Theconstruction of the microstripline based hybrid couplers T/R switch 800is substantially similar to that of FIG. 1B. The microstripline basedhybrid couplers T/R switch is composed of two microstripline basedhybrid couplers. The microstripline based hybrid couplers include a tophybrid coupler 812 and a bottom hybrid coupler 814. The top hybridcoupler 812 and a bottom hybrid coupler 814 are connected to a first PINdiode 816, a second PIN diode 818. As illustrated in FIG. 8 , the T/Rswitch 800 has four ports, a first port 822, a second port 824, a thirdport 824, and a fourth port 826. The first port 822 and the second port824 are associated with the top hybrid coupler 812 and the third port826 and the fourth port 828 are associated with the bottom hybridcoupler 814. The first port 822 is configured to receive pulsed RFsignal power as an input signal. The second port 824 is connected to aRF coil. The third port 826 is connected to a RF terminator (not shown).The fourth port 828 is connected to a pre-amplifier and a third PINdiode 820. The third PIN diode 820 is connected to the fourth port 828to increase isolation between the first port 822 and the fourth port 828to which the pre-amplifier is connected.

In one embodiment, operating frequencies of microstripline based hybridcouplers is calculated based on the electrical length of transmissionlines of a quarter wavelength. By design, microstripline based hybridcouplers are configured to function at a fundamental frequency as wellas odd multiples of this frequency. The multi-tuned T/R switch 800 makesuse of the fundamental frequency and a first odd multiple to be tuned todifferent atomic nuclei frequencies. In order to reduce the frequencytuning range, the microstripline based hybrid couplers may be designedto operate at a frequency of atomic nuclei that lies in the middlebetween the other common frequencies. Table 4 illustrates frequency ofphosphorus atom (³¹P) is considered to be the middle frequency.

TABLE 4 Table 4: Different atomic nuclei frequencies at 7-Tesla with thecorresponding tuning capacitors, microstripline parameters and shuntcapacitor for matching network. Frequency Nucleus (MHz) Ct (pF) L (mm) W(mm) Cm (pF) ¹H 298 19.3 25.2 0.18 10.5 ¹⁹F 280 33.5 25.2 0.18 13.8 ³¹P120.6 0 25.2 0.18 8.0 ²³Na 78.8 27.2 25.2 0.18 17.3 ¹³C 75 30.7 25.20.18 20.0

The tuning strategy that has been followed can be summarized as follows:The fundamental frequency of the T/R switch 800 (120.6 MHz) may be tunedto lower frequencies (²³Na and ¹³C frequencies), whereas the first oddmultiple of the fundamental frequency of around 380 MHz will be tuned tothe ¹H and ¹⁹F frequencies. Frequency tuning operation is accomplishedby shunt capacitors “Ct” inserted at both ends of each microstripline inthe coupler as shown in FIG. 8 . The values of the tuning capacitors fordifferent atomic nuclei frequencies are summarized in Table 1. Thismicrostripline-based multi-tuned T/R switch 800 has been designed andsimulated using simulating tools such as Computer Simulation Technology(CST) Studio Suite as shown in FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B.

FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B illustrate schematic diagrams of a multi-tuneddouble-sided microstripline based hybrid couplers of FIG. 8 , accordingto one embodiment. The double-sided symmetrical microstripline couplers902 and 904 have been designed on a 160 mm×170 mm RO3010 Rogerssubstrate with 1.27 mm thickness each. The ground planes of thedouble-sided symmetrical microstripline couplers 902 and 904 are joinedtogether (not shown), while two thin metal rods are used to connectmicrostripline based hybrid couplers at node “a” and “b” on a top sideof 902, and on a bottom side of 904. In order to improve matching ofeach coupler ports, matching networks have been added for all ports andeach matching network includes a microstripline and shunt capacitor(Cm). The parameters of microstripline length (L) and width (W) may befixed for all frequency tuning cases. The value of Cm is changedaccording to the operating frequency as stated in Table 4.

Specifically, FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrates an example implementation ofthe T/R switch 200 as a multi-tuned T/R switch 200. Further, FIG. 9Aillustrates a top side 902 of the multi-tuned T/R switch 200. The topside 902 includes a first port 912 and a second port 914. While theother ends of the top side 902 are coupled to a first PIN diode 916 anda second PIN diode 918 and each end is coupled with shunt capacitors“Ct” for tuning. FIG. 9B illustrates a bottom side 904 of themulti-tuned T/R switch 200. The bottom side 904 includes a third port922 and a fourth port 924. While the other ends of the bottom side 904are coupled to the first PIN diode 916 and the second PIN diode 918 andeach end is coupled with shunt capacitors “C” for tuning. Apart fromtuning, the functioning of the multi-tuned T/R switch 200 of FIG. 9A andFIG. 9B are substantially similar to that of FIG. 1B. Simulation resultsusing S-parameters of the multi-tuned T/R switch 200 described in FIGS.9A and 9B is illustrated in FIG. 10A, FIG. 10B, FIG. 10C, FIG. 10D andFIG. 10E.

FIG. 10A illustrates S-parameter obtained from simulation at fundamentalfrequency of 120.6 MHz for ³¹P atoms. The S-parameters indicate a lowreflection coefficient of about −25 dB, and a low insertion loss ofaround 0.1 dB at the first port 912 and the second port 914,respectively, during the transmission mode. During the receiving mode,low reflection coefficient of about −24 dB, as well as low insertionloss, that is, less than 0.2 dB between the second port 914 and thefourth port 924 has been identified. FIG. 10B illustrates S-parameterobtained from simulation at a fundamental frequency of 75 MHz, for ¹³Catoms. The S-parameters indicate low reflection coefficient of less than−25 dB and low insertion loss of about 0.12 dB at the first port 912 andthe second port 914, respectively during the transmission mode. Duringreceive, low reflection coefficient of about −40 dB, as well as lowinsertion loss of about 0.4 dB between the second port 914 and thefourth port 924 have been observed. FIG. 10C illustrates, S-parameterobtained from simulation at a fundamental frequency of 78.8 MHz for ²³Naatoms. The S-parameters indicate a low reflection coefficient of about−40 dB and a low insertion loss of about 0.1 dB at the first port 912and the second port 914 during the transmission mode. During thereceiving mode, a low reflection coefficient of less than −25 dB, aswell as negligible insertion loss of about 0.6 dB has been identifiedbetween the second port 914 and the fourth port 923. FIG. 10Dillustrates S-parameter obtained from simulation at fundamentalfrequency of 280 MHz for ¹⁹F atoms. The S-parameters indicate a lowreflection coefficient of about −20 dB, and low insertion loss of about0.35 dB at the first port 912 and the second port 914 at thetransmission mode. During the receiving mode, a low reflectioncoefficient of about −30 dB, as well as a low insertion loss of about0.78 dB between the second port 914 and the fourth port 924 is observed.FIG. 10E illustrates S-parameters obtained from simulation at afundamental frequency of 298 MHz for ¹H atoms. The S-parameters indicatea low reflection coefficient of about −17 dB, and low insertion loss ofabout 0.33 dB between the first port 912 and the second port 914 hasbeen observed during the transmission mode. During the receiving mode, alow reflection coefficient of about −20 dB, as well as a low insertionloss of about 0.6 dB between the second port 914 and the fourth port 924have been observed.

FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B illustrates an example implementation of the T/Rswitch 200 as a dual-tuned T/R switch 200 based on double-sidedmicrostripline based hybrid couplers for 1H/²³Na designed on RO3010dielectric substrate. The dual tuned T/R 200 switch is based on designtechnique described in FIG. 8 . The design relies on a fundamental andfirst odd multiple frequencies of the couplers. By accurately choosingan operating frequency of the coupler, two frequencies (the fundamentaland the first odd multiple) can be tuned simultaneously using the shuntcapacitors (Ct) to obtain two resonance frequencies of two common atomicnuclei. FIG. 11A illustrates a top side 1102 of the dual-tuned T/Rswitch 200, and FIG. 11B illustrates a bottom side 1104 of thedual-tuned T/R switch 200. The top side 1102 includes connections afirst port 1112 and a second port 1114. The top side 1102 also includesconnections to a first PIN diode 1116 and a second PIN diode 1118. Also,the dual-tuned T/R switch 200 includes connections with shunt capacitors“Ct” for tuning at each end. The bottom side 1104 includes connectionsto a third port 1122 and a fourth port 1124 and the other ends of thebottom side include connections to the first PIN diode 1112 and thesecond PIN diode 1114 and each includes connections to shunt capacitors“Cr” for tuning. Apart from tuning, the functioning of the dual-tunedT/R switch 200 of FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B are substantially similar tothat of FIG. 1B. The couplers of FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B have beendesigned with an operating frequency of 131 MHz. Using the shuntcapacitors Ct=60 pF, a fundamental frequency as well as a first oddmultiple frequency is tuned to 78.8 MHz and 298 MHz, respectively. Inorder to get a compromise matching at both resonance frequencies, amicrostripline with parameters of L=30 mm and W=1.2 mm has beenintegrated in addition to a shunt capacitor Cm=13 pF.

This method gives the T/R switch 200 the capability to be tuned to twodifferent atomic nuclei frequencies simultaneously. The MRI scanner withthe described T/R switch 200 can be used to conduct a signal resonatingat two frequencies corresponding to the speed of precession of twoatomic nuclei to a dual resonant MRI RF coil.

FIG. 12A illustrates S-parameter (S11) for the symmetricalmicrostripline-based dual-tuned T/R switch before applying the tuningmechanism. Fundamental and first odd multiple frequencies are tuned toobtain ¹H/²³Na dual-tuned switch as shown in FIG. 12B. At 78.8 MHz for23Na atoms, low reflection coefficient of about −13.5 dB, and lowinsertion loss of about 0.3 dB for the first port (shown as S11) and thesecond port (shown as S21), respectively during a transmission mode areachieved. During a receiving mode, low reflection coefficient of −15 dB(shown as S22) as well as low insertion loss between the second port andthe fourth port of 0.3 dB (shown as S42) has been obtained. Further, at298 MHz for ¹H atoms, low reflection coefficient of about −11.5 dB, andas well as low insertion loss of about 0.8 dB at the first port (shownas S11) and the second port (shown as S12) have been achieved during thetransmission mode. During the receiving mode, low reflection coefficientof about −19 dB as well as low insertion loss of about 1.25 dB betweenthe second port and the fourth port have been observed.

While certain implementations have been described, these implementationshave been presented by way of example only, and are not intended tolimit the teachings of this disclosure. Indeed, the novel apparatusesdescribed herein can be embodied in a variety of other forms;furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form ofthe, apparatuses described herein can be made without departing from thespirit of this disclosure.

According to at least one aspect of the embodiments described above, itis possible to provide a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus.

Embodiments of the present disclosure may also be as set forth below.

In an exemplary embodiment, a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus formagnetic resonance imaging of a subject of investigation is described.The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes a transmit/receiveswitch. The transmit/receive switch includes a double sidedmicrostripline based hybrid couplers to perform a dual-tuned switch. Atop side and a bottom side of the T/R switch each include two concentricmicrostripline based hybrid couplers (inner and outer). The innermicrostripline based hybrid coupler forms an inner loop of the twoconcentric microstripline based hybrid couplers. The outermicrostripline based hybrid coupler forms an outer loop around the innerloop. In a transmission mode, the inner microstripline based hybridcoupler and the outer microstripline based hybrid coupler at the topside of the double sided microstripline based hybrid couplers areactivated. In a receiving mode, the inner microstripline based hybridcoupler and the outer microstripline based hybrid coupler at the topside and at the bottom side of the double sided microstripline basedhybrid couplers are activated.

In another exemplary embodiment, a magnetic resonance imaging apparatusfor magnetic resonance imaging of a subject of investigation isdescribed. The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes atransmit/receive switch. The transmit/receive switch includes a doublesided microstripline based hybrid couplers to perform multi-tuned T/Rswitch. A top side and a bottom side of the T/R switch each include onemicrostripline based hybrid coupler. The ports of each hybrid couplerare connected to shunt capacitors (tuning capacitors). The shuntcapacitors are used to tune the resonance frequency. The first portassociated with the top hybrid coupler configured to receive pulsedradio frequency signal power as an input signal. The second portassociated with the top hybrid coupler connected to a radio frequencycoil. The third port associated with the bottom hybrid coupler connectedto a radio frequency terminator. The fourth port associated with thebottom hybrid coupler connected to a pre-amplifier. In another exemplaryembodiment, a transmit/receive switching device is described.

The transmit/receive switch device includes a double sidedmicrostripline based hybrid couplers to perform simultaneous dual-tunedT/R switch. It can handle a signal of two resonance frequencies to/fromone dual resonant RF coil (or two single resonant RF coils) at the sametime, and without tuning. A top side and a bottom side of the T/R switcheach include one microstripline based hybrid coupler. The ports of eachhybrid coupler are connected with shunt capacitors. The first portassociated with the top hybrid coupler configured to receive pulsedradio frequency signal power as an input signal. The second portassociated with the top hybrid coupler connected to a radio frequencycoil. The third port associated with the bottom hybrid coupler connectedto a radio frequency terminator. The fourth port associated with thebottom hybrid coupler connected to a pre-amplifier.

Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the presentdisclosure are possible in light of the above teachings. It is thereforeto be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, thedisclosure may be practiced otherwise than as specifically describedherein.

1-11. (canceled)
 12. A dual tuned magnetic resonance medical imagingdevice for imaging a subject, comprising: a magnet assembly comprisingone dual resonant RF coil or two single resonant RF coils; asimultaneous dual-tuned T/R switch, the simultaneous dual-tuned T/Rswitch configured to process a signal with two resonance frequenciesfrom the one dual resonant RF coil or the two single resonant RF coils,simultaneously without tuning, the simultaneous dual-tuned T/R switchcomprising: a top side and a bottom side of the simultaneous dual-tunedT/R switch, each of the top side and the bottom side includes onemicrostripline based hybrid coupler, each of the one microstriplinebased hybrid couplers includes at least one port, and the at least portis connected to a corresponding shunt capacitor configured to tune aresonance frequency; in a transmission mode, for the simultaneousdual-tuned T/R switch: the top microstripline based hybrid coupler ofthe simultaneous dual-tuned T/R switch is activated; in a receivingmode, for the simultaneous dual-tuned T/R switch: the top microstriplinebased hybrid coupler and the bottom microstripline based hybrid couplerof the simultaneous dual-tuned T/R switch are activated.
 13. Themagnetic resonance medical imaging device of claim 12, wherein the topside and the bottom side of the simultaneous dual-tuned T/R switch areof equal sizes.
 14. The magnetic resonance medical imaging device ofclaim 12, wherein the top side and the bottom side of the simultaneousdual-tuned T/R switch are rectangular in shape, with a length of 200millimeter (mm) and a width of 200 mm.
 15. The magnetic resonancemedical imaging device of claim 12, wherein the top microstripline basedhybrid coupler includes connections to a first port configured toreceive pulsed radio frequency signal power as an input signal, a secondport connected to a radio the one dual resonant RF coil or the twosingle resonant RF coils, a first diode and a second diode.
 16. Themagnetic resonance medical imaging device of claim 15, wherein thebottom microstripline based hybrid coupler includes connections to thefirst diode, the second diode, a third diode, a third port connected toa radio frequency terminator and a fourth port connected to apre-amplifier.